Hi to all, I have a 100 l marine tank which has been runnung for a year now. Two months ago I have installed a sump/refugium with a six inch DSB and topped with live rock (I have used playsand).Reason for this is that I like to have a NNR. I can see some activity in the refugium, like amphipods, copepods, bristlestars etc. After five weeks I began to see worm activity at the top of the DSB.

My query is how long will it take to cycle the DSB and begin to see some N2 bubbles which means that the DSB is working as it should. Also I am not sure if I have used the correct sand. Any one can help?

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Playsand is OK, as long as you washed it properly before use.
DSB can take anything from 3 months to 6 months to be really matured. It depends on the live you manage to introduced from the liverock or from where you seeded your DSB. A cupful sand from a fellow reefer disease free system DSB is a good thing every couple of months.

Just ensure that the liverock on top of the sand is not too much. Else the parts where the rock lies on the sand is not really acting as a DSB. Either try to lift as much as possible. A small amount of rock or empty shells on the DSB does provide good hiding spots for worms. But the rocks should not cover most of the sand.

Some tips for newbies:1.Evaporation top-ups are done with RO water only, not saltwater2.Please don't keep tangs in a nano - they need lots of swimming space3.Anemones need mature tanks to thrive and clown fish don't need anemones to survive4. "Dilution is the solution to polution" - Anthony Calfo

As regards washing the sand before introduced it to the tank.No I did not rinse the sand as I have brought the it from a beach about two feet deep in the water,and very few people be swimming there, also the sand looked very clean. Reason for not washing the sand is, to preserve life in the sand as much as I could, please tell me if I did it wrong?

As to live rock yes it is packed full, directly on the sand, till it reaches the surface. What do you suggest I will do?
Thanks again.

Can move some of the liverock to your display.
The others, stack them in a way that the minimum pieces are on the sand, the rest is lifted. Best is to have on rock in the DSB area, except one or two pieces to provide shelter for the worms. That is what I prefer on my DSB. Also some empty sea shells is also nice alternative hiding place.

Malta is between Italy and Libya it is a small Island.Population is around 500,000 and it is peacefull.

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Awesome, thanks. So you are between Ferrari's and coral reefs - best of both

Some tips for newbies:1.Evaporation top-ups are done with RO water only, not saltwater2.Please don't keep tangs in a nano - they need lots of swimming space3.Anemones need mature tanks to thrive and clown fish don't need anemones to survive4. "Dilution is the solution to polution" - Anthony Calfo

Three months have passed and I still do not see any gas bubble in my six inch sand bed which I have in my refugium. I have used sea sand and I am suspecting that it is not fine enough for anearobic bacteria to take place. Does any one suggest that I replace the sand with a very fine one, or shall I wait cause it is a long process?

Three months have passed and I still do not see any gas bubble in my six inch sand bed which I have in my refugium. I have used sea sand and I am suspecting that it is not fine enough for anearobic bacteria to take place. Does any one suggest that I replace the sand with a very fine one, or shall I wait cause it is a long process?

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I think you must give the DSB more time. Be patient and you will rewarded.

It can take up to 6 months or more before you see worms which aid in working nitrogen bubbles to the surface. The DSB will gradually start denitrifying. It wont be an overnight event. If your system is very sterile, ie. heavily skimmed, low feeding etc. it will take longer before you actually see worms. But, don't worry, things are happening. Mother nature never fails. If the sand is way too coarse, you can sprinkle finer sand on top, but don't disturb what you have.